Born and raised in Pueblo Co. Graduated from Centennial in 1974. Our family moved to Pueblo when the coal mines closed in Gardner.

In 1996 my mom, Red Squirrel, wanted to return to her ancestral home, so we moved our family to Gardner. Our family has been in this area for 8 generations. I feel a special connection to Gardner, as I reconnect with my relations and get to know my community. As an elder myself now, I feel an important obligation to be of service.

I attended Columbia University with my major in Nutrition and received certification from local grants and job training for CNA, CMA, and EMT. I have worked in hospitals since 1974 as a diet technician, kitchen supervisor, CNA, CMA, EMT, and an Outreach clinic manager, I have been employed at Reid Memorial Hospital, Boone Hospital Center, Swedish Medical Center, Aurora Presbyterian/St. Luke Hospital and Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center.

Retired, I am busier than ever doing what I love. I Started my own business with trade name Desert Salt. I create crafts with intention that reflect my native heritage that was nurtured by my mother in respect for the earth around us. Even though I am mixed blood I resonate most to my native heritage. I love to dress in my regalia and dance at pow—wows.

I have also been working since retired with grants to bring much needed resources to Gardner, with a focus on our large senior population. In a county that is very poor and has one of the oldest populations in the state demographically, Gardner is the oldest of the old and the poorest of the poor. Although the statistics may appear to be daunting, I know firsthand the strength and resilience of the people in the upper Huerfano Valley. I was a single mother who raised 3 wonderful children, so I know the hardships of making enough money to support a family. I balanced working several jobs with family life and was fortunate to have my mother to help me until she changed worlds in 2002. Extended families, often going back generations, are part of the strength of our area.

Gardner, although small, had some strong resources that were much needed. My kids attended Gardner school which has always held the reputation of being the best school in the county. It still is an important hub of our community and our culture. We were also fortunate that when they were ill could go to La Clinica, which was also vital in our community. After being dormant for several years, we want to be able to still offer that service. We have created a strong La Clinica board and I am very excited to re-open La Clinica to a variety of providers to serve our community.